Through the lyrics we can see that both are starting to give up, and the song depicts both of their realizations that the relationship is coming to an end.
The song features poppy and staccato production, accompanied by emotive vocal performances.
Shouldn't Couldn't Wouldn't
88Rising Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mm
By now I got your bad habits all memorized
Like, when I know you need me most
You go and shut me out, figures, you Gemini
And I'm not sayin' that I've got
Boy, I've been in love before
It's not always peachy, look, life ain't that easy
But one thing I know for sure is
It shouldn't be this hard
You couldn't DTR
Oh, wouldn't it be nice if we could stay friends?
But we houldn't, you know what I
Couldn't, 'nough's enough
If I had your heart, it wouldn't be this hard
You wonder why suddenly I'm comin' off indifferent
What you don't seem to understand is
It's not anything you said, it's everything you didn't, oh
Yeah, you, you always answer with
More questions to questions that scare you
We're not always peachy, look, love ain't that easy
But one thing I know, I know it for sure that
It shouldn't be this hard
You couldn't DTR
Oh, wouldn't it be nice if we could stay friends?
But we shouldn't, you know what I
Couldn't, 'nough's enough
If I had your heart, it wouldn't be this hard
I drank too much tonight to not try to call you up
I mean that's what our phones are for
I'm not one for titles, girl, in other words, terrified
That pussy kicked my rules out the door
I could take more shots or I could take you off your blouse
My favorite parts of fuckin' is either when I'm done or when you're walkin' out my house
And you don't pick up when I call unless I call you mine
But one thing I know is
It shouldn't be this hard
You couldn't DTR
Oh, wouldn't it be nice if we could stay friends?
But we shouldn't, you know what I
Couldn't, 'nough's enough
If I had your heart, it wouldn't be this hard
Oh, hard, oh, mm
It's not always peachy, look, love ain't that easy
But one thing I know for sure is we shouldn't
The lyrics of 88rising's "Shouldn't Couldn't Wouldn't" tell a story of a love that is difficult and complicated. The song suggests that the relationship is not easy, and while the one singing does not have all the answers, they know that it shouldn't be this hard. The lyrical content suggests that there is a struggle with the definition of the relationship, as the other person "couldn't DTR" (define the relationship) and wants to stay friends. The one singing acknowledges that life is not always perfect, but also suggests that the other person is scared and hesitant when it comes to questions about their relationship. The song also reflects on some of the negative aspects of the relationship, including drinking too much and feeling terrified of titles, but ultimately the song is an expression of the singer's desire for the relationship to work if they had the other person's heart.
The story of "Shouldn't Couldn't Wouldn't" is relatable to anyone who has been in a difficult relationship. The song captures the complex emotions and communication breakdowns that can happen when two people are struggling to connect. The choice of the title "Shouldn't Couldn't Wouldn't" conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance that the relationship is not going to work out. However, throughout the song, there is also a sense of hope and longing for a happier outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
Mm-mm, yeah
Introductory sounds to the song
By now I got your bad habits all memorized
I am so familiar with your flaws, they are like a memory for me
Like, when I know you need me most
You shut me out, surprised?
You go and shut me out, figures, you Gemini
It's typical of you to shut me out, you Gemini
And I'm not sayin' that I've got All of the answers, but
I don't claim to have all the answers, but I have been in love before
Boy, I've been in love before
I have felt love before
It's not always peachy, look, life ain't that easy
Life is never perfect, and love isn't a cakewalk
But one thing I know for sure is
But one thing I am sure of is
It shouldn't be this hard
Love shouldn't be this hard
You couldn't DTR
You couldn't define the relationship
Oh, wouldn't it be nice if we could stay friends?
It would be nice if we could still be friends
But we houldn't, you know what I
But we shouldn't stay friends, and you know why
Couldn't, 'nough's enough
I can't do it anymore, I give up
If I had your heart, it wouldn't be this hard
If you had feelings for me, love wouldn't be this difficult
You wonder why suddenly I'm comin' off indifferent
You are confused about why I seem indifferent recently
What you don't seem to understand is
What you fail to comprehend is that
It's not anything you said, it's everything you didn't, oh
It's not because of what you said, it's because of what you didn't say or do
Yeah, you, you always answer with
You always respond with
More questions to questions that scare you
You ask even more questions when I ask something that scares you
I'm not one for titles, girl, in other words, terrified
I am afraid to commit or have a label because it scares me
That pussy kicked my rules out the door
You broke the rules I set for myself
I could take more shots or I could take you off your blouse
I could drink more alcohol or have sex with you
My favorite parts of fuckin' is either when I'm done or when you're walkin' out my house
My favorite parts of having sex is either when it's over or when you leave my place
And you don't pick up when I call unless I call you mine
You don't answer my call unless I refer to you as mine or claim you as my own
But one thing I know is
But one thing I am aware of is
It shouldn't be this hard
Love shouldn't be this hard
You couldn't DTR
You couldn't define the relationship
Oh, wouldn't it be nice if we could stay friends?
It would be nice if we could still be friends
But we shouldn't, you know what I
But we shouldn't stay friends, and you know why
Couldn't, 'nough's enough
I can't do it anymore, I give up
If I had your heart, it wouldn't be this hard
If you had feelings for me, love wouldn't be this difficult
Oh, hard, oh, mm
Background sounds and music of the song
It's not always peachy, look, love ain't that easy
Love is never easy, life is never perfect
But one thing I know for sure is we shouldn't
But one thing I am sure of is that we shouldn't be together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alexandra Grace Saad, Brian Imanuel Soewarno, Michael V. Gazzo, Nicole Zefanya Chng, Nikolai Patrick Prange
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jovitarancapero5510
“𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏'𝒕„
damn i felt that 😔✊🏻🤧
@NIKIZFNY
My Head In The Clouds II Acoustic Sessions are out now on all streaming platforms! Listen here: https://88rising.lnk.to/NIKIAcousticSessions
@brianna_0331
NIKI 👍🏻
@danila6786
💙💙💙
@naiaraedenia6540
hi NIKI!
@arxakawjya9798
I miis you , i wish you can tour on indonesian with brian,joji,stephanie
@nautiluskk1033
Hi💙💙
@gwennaamabella6730
niki's and brian's have always been one of the best collabs ever
@fanrosefabrose9457
Imagine Niki and H.E.R or SZA 😳
@luthfipratama8643
Brian and Joji is better but eh its my opinion
@fanrosefabrose9457
@@luthfipratama8643 Brian and Joji is a hit or miss. Joji doesn't fit on his tracks unless it's the hook it a bridge. Niki and Brian always keep the vibe going. While if you look at the collabs Joji and Brian have been on:
•Either the beat switches (18- Kris Wu)
•Joji just sticks to the bridge (Where does the time go)
•Joji sticks to the hook(Midsummer Madness and Introvert, he did a bridge also)
Joji and Brian Just aren't compatible. In fact, based off all the collabs he's had so far in this album, it seems like Joji can't fit with anyone. His verses are overwhelming and lazy or too short. He should Just stick to beat-making and doing singles